right-hand

1 of 2

adjective

1
: situated on the right
2
3
: chiefly relied on
his right-hand man

right hand

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the hand on a person's right side
b
: an indispensable person
2
a
: the right side
b
: a place of honor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Calder plays Lady Gosling’s dogmatic right-hand man, Fergus Penney, Hannah Deirdre Kilpatrick, a TV researcher and Byrne plays Ginger Baines, Tony’s unscrupulous enforcer. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 May 2023 Tesla is no longer making a right-hand drive version of its Model S and Model X electric vehicles. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 12 May 2023 The book also dives into the earlier years of Queen Charlotte’s relationship with Lady Agatha Danbury, as well as the union between Queen Charlotte’s secretary Brimsley and King George’s right-hand man Reynolds. Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2023 Investors will be looking to the Oracle of Omaha and his quick-witted right-hand man Charlie Munger for reassurance amid recent turmoil in the banking industry. Will Daniel, Fortune, 5 May 2023 Lorenzo Camacho, the uncle of Samuel Sr.’s wife and his right-hand man, died of COVID-19 at the end of 2020; a large photo of him hangs near the cash register. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023 After overthrowing al-Bashir and carrying out a coup, Burhan became Sudan's de facto ruler with Hemedti as his right-hand man. Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 4 May 2023 After seemingly winning the marathon to sign all-action midfielder Jude Bellingham, president Florentino Pérez and his right-hand men are sending a message. Henry Flynn, Forbes, 4 May 2023 The King's devoted valet, Reynolds (Freddie Dennis), works tirelessly behind the scenes to protect George's secret, which often puts him in conflict with the Queen's right-hand man, Brimsley (Sam Clemmett). Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2023
Noun
Drive your elbow off the floor, so that your weight is resting on your right hand. Brett Williams, Men's Health, 15 Apr. 2023 And still, out of an abundance of caution, with each listed with an ailment, the heart of the Heat rotation sat out, Adebayo with a strained left quadriceps tendon, Butler with a bruised right hand, Herro with a bruised right quadriceps, Love with a bruised right rib and Lowry with knee soreness. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2023 In taking third base, Mateo took a cleat to his right hand, causing multiple cuts and spasms. Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2023 Ivacic made yet another fingertip save in the 63rd minute, preventing the opener from Velasco by leaping in the air and smacking it away with his right hand. oregonlive, 1 Apr. 2023 James is David's right hand. Nick Romano, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2023 Paul spent six days in the hospital and underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture with additional injuries to his arms and right hand. Jack Flemming Los Angeles Times (tns), al, 30 Jan. 2023 The two Fort Worth officers who responded to the house found Bradshaw standing inside with a knife in his right hand. Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023 Magee’s identifying mark was a missing fingertip on the pinkie of his right hand—a bomb-maker’s occupational hazard. Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'right-hand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of right-hand was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near right-hand

Cite this Entry

“Right-hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right-hand. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

right-hand

adjective
ˈrīt-ˌhand
1
: located on the right
2
3
: relied on most of all
right-hand man

Medical Definition

right-hand

1 of 2 adjective
1
: situated on the right
2

right hand

2 of 2 noun
1
: the hand on a person's right side
2
: the right side

More from Merriam-Webster on right-hand

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